Hewick hits in-running high of 550-1 before last-to-first success in extraordinary King George VI Chase

Shark Hanlon would be just about the most optimistic trainer around but even he thought "the game was up" as his stable star Hewick laboured at the back of the pack in an absorbing Ladbrokes King George VI Chase.

Running like a horse who was paying for enjoying Christmas Day a little too much on the first circuit, his rider Gavin Sheehan even contemplated pulling up his partner as he scrubbed him along at the back of the field.

It still looked a hopeless cause three out but when Shishkin stumbled and unseated Nico de Boinville at the second-last when leading, the race took on an entirely different complexion.

Hewick, who to his credit had just about hung in the contest to that point, then started to close on Allaho and Bravemansgame, who unlike the eventual winner had been on the sharp end of a searching gallop from the off. And, from the back of the last, the little horse who cost just €850 managed to somehow claw back the leaders to record the most unlikely of King George triumphs.

The winner hit an in-running high of 550 on Betfair, while more than £1,000 was traded on Shishkin at 1.33.

Hanlon, who enjoyed his turkey dinner in the comfort of the stable staff canteen at Kempton the previous day, then came into his own, popping corks and chanting to the crowd in the winner's enclosure as he savoured the ultimate Christmas gift.

"I honestly thought the game was up but he has such heart," said the larger-than-life trainer who is based in County Carlow. "When you see the others walking around the ring and he's only 16 hands you think, 'What am I doing here?' But the ride he got was unreal.

"They went very hard and he just couldn't lie up with them. Coming out the back I thought he'd be in the first three because he was getting going. The thing today was that we came here fresh and we had a great man on board."

Hewick (right): was only third jumping the lastCredit: Alan Crowhurst

While Sheehan took the plaudits, Hanlon was keen to acknowledge the integral part injured regular rider Jordan Gainford had played in Hewick's unlikely success story.

"I feel very sorry for Jordan because he made this horse," said the trainer. "He minded him when he had to be minded and Jordan will be back [on board] at Cheltenham. If he's not back in time we have a good man [Sheehan] to take his place."

Hewick was a heavy faller at the second-last in last season's Gold Cup and Paddy Power go 16 (from 66) about him atoning in March.

"Probably the race for him in the future is the Grand National but you have to go for the Gold Cup," said Hanlon. "Cheltenham will suit this horse a lot better than here because it's a tougher three miles."

While he hit the front only inside the last 100 yards, Hewick was a length and a half clear of Bravemansgame in second at the post and Sheehan was able to give a salute that is becoming increasingly familiar to the crowd before he crossed the winning line.

After wins in the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury and December Gold Cup at Cheltenham in recent months, the jockey is enjoying a career-defining season and cemented his status as a go-to rider on the big days.

"The further I was going the more I was thinking this just isn't happening," relived the rider. "If it hadn't been the King George I'd have probably pulled him up. I never felt comfortable and never had any fluency. It wasn't until I jumped the last down the back and gave him two reminders that I started to feel a gear change and a new horse underneath me.

"Going from last to first is a brilliant feeling and one that words can't describe. Winning a King George is massive for my career and for everyone involved."

Paul Nicholls, searching for a record-extending 14th King George win, had to settle for second with last year's winner Bravemansgame and felt his horse had been inconvenienced when Shishkin unseated his rider.

"He was getting a bit of tow from the other horse [Shishkin] but that incident interfered with him, stopped him dead and that cost him any chance then," said Nicholls. "It was a case of ifs and buts in the straight but he ran a good race again and was staying on.

"He stays and I've never really doubted that. He was much better on better ground today and we'll get him really fresh and well like last year and go to Cheltenham now."

Allaho's trainer Willie Mullins said: "He ran a cracker and nearly got handed the race. It looked to me like he didn't stay. It was a fantastic victory for the Shark and I was absolutely delighted for him."

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